Axis locks suck (to disassemble)!

dkb45

dkb45

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Joined
Dec 16, 2012
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I can take a frame lock apart, clean it all, and get it back together in a mere 5 minutes. A liner lock in under 10. A lock back in 15. And an axis takes me about an hour. Why?

My guess is that the only person well suited to work on an axis lock is a wizard. Granted, I am not super well versed in maintenance on an axis lock, it is just a super complicated design, and one simple design change can make it a lot easier. My Adamas is the easiest axis lock to take apart I have seen. With a spacer, exposed stop pin, and scales over full exposed liners it is one of the more simple designs. It still has one problem... the pivot bolt. A standard bolt means that you cannot take both scales off without removing the whole bolt. The solution is also simple. Change to pivot to one like the Manix uses, with a center threaded piece with screws on both sides. A bunch of other knives use this design, like the Domino, PM 2, ZT 801, and even knives like my Quartermaster Murdock. That would make the whole knife so much easier to work with.
 
MansGotToKnowHisLimitations_22.jpg
 
I have the same problem when it comes making tropical beverages.

 
Which knife is in question.

LoL. That sucks . It usually takes me about 5 minutes to do a Griptilian if I dont look at what I am doing.
Practice makes perfect. Next time you will be a pro.
 
BellaBlades said:
Which knife is in question.

LoL. That sucks . It usually takes me about 5 minutes to do a Griptilian if I dont look at what I am doing.
Practice makes perfect. Next time you will be a pro.
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Hot damn, are you a wizard? My first time taking a Grip apart ended with me lucking out to get it together while being in tears of frustration. About 3 hours of work WITH following video guides. Second time was somehow flawless with my Ganzo Rift (same design and inner workings), and it was apart and back together in under an hour.

This last time with my Adamas I got it apart without issue, but it was being a real butt to get back together. I got it and tried to oil the washers (because I couldn't while getting it back together without making a massive mess), but the knife opened like a truck was parked on it. I loosened everything up and gave it another shot at oiling and finally got it back to smooth, but good lord this was a pain.

The problem I ran into was that the blade and washers would take any chance to make a break for it. I finally ended up assembling the whole knife minus blade, washers, and pivot bolt and working them in afterwards. I gotta find an easier way to do this...
 
dkb45 said:
I finally ended up assembling the whole knife minus blade, washers, and pivot bolt and working them in afterwards. I gotta find an easier way to do this...
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You found the easier way. Now it's just repetition/practice.
 
Try switching the pivot post from the left side of the knife; to the right side right side of the knife.
OK, now try it with out taking the blade or the washers out.
There's nothing to it really.
It's just a matter of seconds.
That is, once you've done it a few hundred times. ;)
 
I throw the handle together for the grip models with the blade and washer last.
I assemble the whole handle. Then just stick the blade with washers into it then slide the pivot tube through, kind of like how you would do a Sebenza 21 but with a ton of parts and tiny screws.
If I get a grip in I will make a quick video if my wife will help.
I have never made a video before besides filming the babies doing odd stuff.
Matt
 
I've taken my 940 and 558 apart several times without much issue. The first two times were frustrating, but after you see what does what, it all comes together.

It also helps to lay everything out in order when you disassemble it. Don't lump all the screws together, make sure you separate them, keep track which side the pivot and posts came out of, etc.
 
I've never had much problems getting an axis folder apart/back together. Perhaps there is some what of a learning curve.
 
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The way I assemble a liner or frame lock is to get everything apart, clean it all, put the pivot bolt in, then stack on the washers and blade with lube. I wish an axis lock could be put together like this because it allows lube to be put on much more precisely, and with much less risk of it spilling out all over the blade or your hands as you hold the knife.
 
Rinse under warm water, soapy brush if needed, a bit of compressed air to dry it off, wipe down with CLP and a bit more compressed air.
Never once in 3 years have I felt the need to disassemble an axis lock and potentially void the warranty.
 
This is one of the reasons I stopped EDC'ing Axis locks. I much prefer liner-locks and lock-backs when it comes to clean-and-lube time (which is about every 4-5 months when it comes to my true EDC knives).
 
dkb45 said:
I can take a frame lock apart, clean it all, and get it back together in a mere 5 minutes. A liner lock in under 10. A lock back in 15. And an axis takes me about an hour. Why?

My guess is that the only person well suited to work on an axis lock is a wizard. Granted, I am not super well versed in maintenance on an axis lock, it is just a super complicated design, and one simple design change can make it a lot easier. My Adamas is the easiest axis lock to take apart I have seen. With a spacer, exposed stop pin, and scales over full exposed liners it is one of the more simple designs. It still has one problem... the pivot bolt. A standard bolt means that you cannot take both scales off without removing the whole bolt. The solution is also simple. Change to pivot to one like the Manix uses, with a center threaded piece with screws on both sides. A bunch of other knives use this design, like the Domino, PM 2, ZT 801, and even knives like my Quartermaster Murdock. That would make the whole knife so much easier to work with.
Click to expand...

I have news for you...it's not the tool, it's the workman. :rolleyes:
 
I've found that using a q-tip stem to hold the Axis lock bar back makes it much easier get everything put back together. Some people use a toothpick, which also works. I prefer the q-tip because it's a bit thicker and gets the Axis lock further out of the way.

BM556_Qtip_800x412.jpg
 
The flarp method has worked for me several times. Forgot about that, been awhile since I had an Axis apart.
 
Definitely taking that qtip trick. Thanks!
The only knife I've had a real problem putting back together was a g10 dragonfly. I spent hours over about two weeks trying to get that thing back together. Didn't even succeed, my brother did it in about ten minutes.
 
jkwithawave said:
Definitely taking that qtip trick. Thanks!
The only knife I've had a real problem putting back together was a g10 dragonfly. I spent hours over about two weeks trying to get that thing back together. Didn't even succeed, my brother did it in about ten minutes.
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I had an issue with lockbacks until I figured out the easiest way. After you get eveyrhting apart and clean it go ahead and get the lock bar, one scale (and liner for that scale if applicable), and screws in. Pinch the side of the lock to hold it in and place the blade on. Now put on the opposing scale and you are done.

As for just washing out the axis, I don't trust that. It would be way too easy for water to slip in and start rusting on the omega spring or the liner, or even on the washer area. Aside from potential mess from oil, my new method is pretty easy. More complicated, but not too awfully bad.
 
dkb45 said:
As for just washing out the axis, I don't trust that. It would be way too easy for water to slip in and start rusting on the omega spring or the liner, or even on the washer area. Aside from potential mess from oil, my new method is pretty easy. More complicated, but not too awfully bad.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with this. I received a BM 111 Dive knife that was either like new or lightly used, can't remember. Blade looked unused, but was probably carried some. Anyways when I received it there was discoloration on the scales and between the liners and scales. There was a fair amount of rust on the liners. None on the springs, but it perturbed me a bit. Needless to say that thing never left the house till I traded it away.

I've also had a little bit of rust on the liners of my 950.
 
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